Train dispatching system for railroads



Sept. 22, 1931. F. w. BRlxNER TRAIN DISPATCHING SYSTEM FOR RAILROADS Filed Nov. 25, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 um, L 1 l L 3L ----@Umwwu @GMU E EE M m2 m2 mm vm um. D Wm OE H on m2 n E o mm u@ .E ,E ,E @WB uw l S N IIIIONhQlII d; @NN H m H H WN gedag- Ll NLSN n y E EN om m.&\ n: mo mw GH nOEEoU W WH u E vcd c nulwm.

Patented Sept. 22, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FREDERICK W. BRIXNER, 0F ROCHESTER, NEW' YORK, ASSIGNOR TO GENmAL RAILWAY SIGNL COMPANY, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK` TRAIN DISPATCHING SYSTEM FOR RAILROADS Application led November 25, 1929. Serial No. 409,663.

This invention relates to train dispatching systems of the wayside signal mdlcating type, and more particularly to a s ynchronous selector system employmg dlstlnc- 5 tive code impulses for rendering available specific message circuits. n

When it is desired to direct the movement of trains on a railway system, and control the switch machines for the track switches over which such train is tomove, it is of course expedient to employ a .system having the fewest possible line wires, in that the control mentioned may extend over a distance of more than one hundred miles, and it is only economical if the number of 'line wires are reduced to a small value.;

In accordance with the present invention it is proposed to employ a single line circuit, which is at times used for actuating code responsive devices to set up message c1rcuit branches, and is at other times used to transmit control or indication messages thereover, and through the message circuit branches so completed. In other words, the single line circuit mentioned is at times used as a channel selecting circuit and is at other times used as a message circuit.

Other objects, purposes and characteristic features of the invention will in part be obvious from the accompanying drawings, showing one specific embodiment of the present invention, and will in part be pointed out in the specification hereinafter. 5 In describing the invention in detail reference will be made t-o the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1A conventionally illustrates a portion of the apparatus in the dispatchers office, of one embodiment of the present invention; and

Fig. 1B illustrates conventionally the apparatus of the same embodiment at a distant way station of the railway system.

5 The drawings if laid end to end illustrate a portion of the entire system.

0 tion, in practice, is applied to a large number of track switches, passin sidings, railshown divided by insulating joints 11, toY

constitute the usual insulated detector track track battery 12, for protecting trains approaching the track switch S1 at the west end of this passing siding PS. The entrance of trains into the passing siding PS is governed by the main entering signal 8S and the take-siding signal SDS, whereas the departure of trains from the main track and the side track into the single track sec-- tion N, is governed by the main starting signal 7S and the dwarf starting signal 7DS. The track switch S1 is referably operated by a switch machine gM, which switch machine in turn is'v controlled by the switch machine relay SMR, which relay in turn is controlled by the synchronous selector system, more particularly described hereinafter.

In practice the railway system is preferably reproduced in the dispatchers office in miniature, and for convenience the west end of the passing siding PS has only been reproduced in miniature in Fig. 1A of the drawings by the track lay-out constituting the left hand portion only of the miniature passing siding ps. With the left hand end of this miniature passing siding 'ps is associated the signal lever LS for controlling the signals at the west end of the passing siding PS, and a switch machine lever LSM usedfor the purpose of controlling the switch machine SM at the distant passing siding PS. There is also provided an indicating lamp I at the west end of the passing siding ps, which is controlled by the indicating relay IR, which relay in turn is controlled through the synchronous-selector system and indicates whether or not the track relay TR of the distant passing siding PS 'is energized, so that the illumination of the lamp I indicates occupancy ofthe detector-track cir--A .cuit illustrated in Fig. 1B.

Let us nowv considerA the apparatusv incircuit including the track relay TR and the volved in the synchronous selector system, over which the control and indication impulses, heretofore mentioned, are transmitted. In accordance with the present invention there is only one line circuit, including a selecting and message wire 15 and a common return wire 16. In the dispatchers office there is a suitable source of alternating current AC, preferably of commercial frequency, such as cycle, and a storage battery 20, preferably having its midpoint connected to the common wire 16 through the medium of wires 17 and 18. In the dispatchers office there is a motor generator set, comprising a direct current generator G, an alternating current motor F80, and distinctive frequency generators F1, F2, F3 and F, The motor Fso is normally driven by current derived from the source AC,

and the generator G normally charges the storage battery 20, but in case of power failure the generator G acts as a motor to drive the generators F1, F2, F3 and F, This motor generator set drives, through the medium of reduction gearing RG, a suitable commutator or circuit selector 22, which for` convenience has been shown developed, so as to more clearly illustrate the segments by which certaincircuits are completed and the arc of movement through which they are completed.

The dispatchers oiiice equipment also includes filters FL1, FL2, FI]8 and FL, of which each filter is so designed as to allow current of a particular-frequency, these frequencies being distinguished by the exponents of the reference characters of such filters, to iiow freely, whereas such filter great. ly restricts the flow of currents of all other frequencies. Each of *these filters is connected in series with the generator of the transformer T1 has a condenser C connected in seriestherewith, so as to prevent the iow of direct current through the'transformer l T1, for reasons which will appear hereinafter. The transformer T1 has its secondary winding connected across a multiple frequency bus, which bus in turn is connected to similar filter WFL, WF1?, WFL2 and WFL3, each filter of which permits the flow of current of a frequency corresponding to that of the exponent of its reference character to a rectier of the double wave type, which in delivers direct current to a quick acting direct current relay, these relays being designated R, R1, R2 and R3, respectively. The relays R1, R2and R3 in turn control repeater rela s RRI, RR2 and RRS. There is also provi ed a repeater relay RR, which can only pick up in the event that the relays R1 and R2 have picked up' before the relay R3 has picked up, these various distinctive frequency relays and repeater relays in turn control a large number, six in the particular arrangement illustrated message circuit branches, each branch of which includes the closed synchronously with corresponding f message circuit branches closed in the dispatchers oflice by the commutator 22, may control the switch machine relay SMR, the signal relay SR, the direction relay DR, and the indicating relay IR (see Fig. 1A) respectively, in response to the condition of'the switch machine lever LSM, the signal control lever LS and the condition of energizetion of the track relay TR. Having now briefly pointed out the various elements of a system constitutin one embodiment of the present invention, 1t is deemed expedient to consider the operation of this system, so that the coordination of the various elements thereof are more clearly understood.

Operation Let us assume that there is an east-bound train moving in the single track section N, and that the dis atcher, located in the dispatchers office see Fig. 1A) wishes this train to take the side track of the passing siding PS. In order to accom lish this, it is necessary that the track switc S1 be operated to the take-siding position. The dispatcher in order to so operate the track switch S1 will move-his lever LSM to the left lll) hand dotted position. The commutator 29,

in the present form of the invention is prsumably rotating at all times, and let us now observe what transpires as this commutator 22 rotates with the lever LSM in the left hand dotted position, and with the lever LS in the right hand position, because the dispatcher wishes to set up indications for eastbound movement over the track switch S1.

Message circuit one Rotation of the commutator 22 in the direction of the arrow causes the segments 24 and 25 to simultaneously engage the stationary brushes l. and26'. The short circuiting of the rst two ofthe brushes 1, connects the transformer T to the selecting and message' wire 15, and the short circuiting of brushes 26 applies frequency F1 across the wires 15 and through the medium of this transformer T. Thisv application of frequency Fl to the line circuit 15-16 causes current of frequency F1 to flow through the filter WF L1 After another short arc of rotation of the t f commutator 22, the commutator' segment 40 engages the stationary contact brushes 41, thereby effecting the application of frequency F2 to the transformer T, and in turn to the synchronous selector circuit 15-16,

the transformer T1, the filter WFL2, the y rectifier RT2 and tothe relay R2. This of course will effect energization of the relay R2, but this relay R2 cannot pick up the repeater relay RR2, becausevthe pick up circuit for the repeater relay RR2 is open at the back contactv 31 ofthe relay R1. This picking up of the relay R2 will, however,

close a ick-up circuit for the repeater relay RR12, t rough a pick-up circuit which may be traced as follows beginning at the plus terminal-of the battery 30, wires 27 42 and 43, back contact 44 of the relay R, wire 45, front contact 46 ofthe relay R1, wire 47, front contact`48jof the relay'R2, wire'` 49,

back contact 50 of the relay R2, wires51 and 52, to the upper winding of relay RR12;

With the relay RR12 picked up, and the relay R1 up and relay RR2 down, as is now the case, the following stick circuit for the upper winding of the relay RR12 is completedz-beginning at the plus terminal of the battery 30, wires 27,28 and 29, front contact 31 of the relay R1, wires 32 and 55, back contact 56 of the relay RR2, wires 57 and 58, front stick contact 59 of the relay vRR12,

wires 60 and 52, through the upper winding of the relay RR12, tothe negative terminal of battery 30.

Continued rotationof the commutator 22v causes engagement of the segments 62 and 63 with their respective stationary Contact brushes 64 and 65. This causes the simultaneous application of frequencies F3 and Fl1 to 4the selecting circuit 15-416.- The frequency F, although it can reach the filter WFLn and-the rectifier RTB, cannot flow to the upper winding of the relay Rn until the relays R1, R2 and R3 have all assumed their energized positions. The flow of frequency so that frequency Fn can reach the relay R after having its ycurrent rectified, so that the relay Rn also picks up. Picking up of the relay Rs cannot effect picking up of its repeater relay RRS, because the back contacts 67 and 46 of the relays R2 and R1 included in the pick-up circuit for the relay RRS are open. Itis thus seen that the application of frequencies F1, F2 and F 3, in the order given, followed by the application of frequency Fu has caused the relays R1, RR1, R2,I RR12, Rs and R, and with these relays all up, each one of the repeater relays will be stuck up. The relay R11' and the repeater relays RR1 and RR12 will be stuck up through the following res' ective stick circuits 71 of the message relay MR, wire 72, stick contact 73 of the relay R, wire 74, lower winding of the relay R, to the negative terminal of the battery 30;

(2) Beginning at the plus terminal ofthe battery 30, wires 27, 42 and 43, front conrtact 44 of the relay R, wires 75, 76 and 77, lfront stick contact 78 'of the relay RR1, wire 79bottom winding ofthe relay RR1, to the negative terminal of the battery 30; and

l (3) Beginning at the positive terminal of the battery 30, wires 27, 42 and 43, front contact 44 of the relay R, wires 75, 76, 80

and 81, front stick contact 82 of the relay- RR12, wire 83, bottom winding of the relay RR, to the negative terminal of the bat-V ter 30. i ontinued rotation of the commutator 22 cuts ofi` all of the frequencies F1, F2, F 2 and 1) Beginning at the plus terminal of the battery 30, wires 27, 42 and 70, back contact Fn but the relays R, RR1 RR12 nevertheless remain energized, through the stick circuits just traced. Also, the disengagement of commutator segment 24with the first two brushes 1 will disconnect the transformer T from the selecting line 15, and a slight further rotation of the commutator 22 causes the contact segment 85 to engage the second two brushes 1, thereby connecting the switch machine lever LSM to the selecting and message wire 15, which results in the closing of the following message circuit connectingthe switch machine lever LSM and the switch ative'terminal of the battery 20 (see Fig.

1A), ,wires 86, 87, 88 and 89, lever contact LSM, wire 90, contact 1, segment 85, contact 1, wire 92, front contact 93 of the relay LSMR, wires 94 and 95, message wire 15, wires 96 and 97, message relay MR, wire 98, front contact 99 of the relay R11, wire 100, back contact 101 of the relay R1, wire 102, back contact 103 of the relay R2, wire 104, back contact 105 of the relay R2, wire 106, front contact 107 of the Vrelay RR1, wire 108, back contact 109 of the relay RR3, wire 110, front contact 111 of the relay RR12, wire 112. winding of the switchlmachine relay SMZR, wires 113, 114, 115, 116, 117 and 118,

line Wires 16, Wires 18 and 17 to the midpoint of the battery 20 inthe dispatchers office.

vIt is noted that this direct current V cannot effects energization of the message relay MR,

and opening of back contact 71 of this relay MR. This opening of the back contact 71 effects opening of the stick circuit for the relay R, the dropping of which in turn opens the stick circuits for the relays RR1 and RR12 heretofore traced. The dropping of these relays R, RR1 and RR12 of course again opens the message circuit just traced,

thereby effecting deenergization of the message relay MR. The message relay MR inV practice is constructed to be suliciently slow acting to allow operation of the relay SMR before its circuit is opened at contact 99.

Message circuit two ment 120 short circuits the brushes 41, thereby connecting frequency F2 to the transformer T and in turn to the transformer T1 located -at the ditsant way station. This flow of current of frequency F2.efects energization of the relay R2, thereby causing the relay RR2 to be picked up through the following pick-up circuit beginning at the plus terminal of battery 30, wires 27, 28 and 123, front contact 35 of the relay R2, wires 34, 33 and 32, back contact 31 of the relay R1, wires 124 and 125, upper winding of the relay- RR2, back to the negative terminal of the battery 30. With this relay RR2 assuming its ener ized position the following stick circuit or thls relay is closed beginning at the plus terminal of the battery 30, wires 27, 28 and 123, front contact 35 of the relay R2, wires 34 and'126, back contact 127 of the relay RR1, wires 128 and 57 front stick contact 56 of the relay RR2, wires 129 and 125, through the upper winding of the relay RR2 to the negative terminal of battery 30. M

After another short arc of movement of the commutator 22, the commutator segment 130 engages the brushes 26, thereby applyingcurrent of frequencies F1 tothe stepping and message circuit, and effecting energization of the relay R1 at the way station.

position after the relay RR2 has assumed its attracted position, the repeater relay RR1 cannot be energized, for reasons heretofore pointed out, but the relay RR12 can, and will be energized through the following circuit :-beginning at the ositive terminal of the battery 30, Wires 2 42 and 43, back contact 44 of the relay R, wire 45, front contact 46 of the relay R1, wire 47, front contact 48 `of the relay R3, wire 49, back contact 50 of the relay R3, Wires 51 and 52, through the upper winding of the -relay RR12, to the negative terminal of the battery 30. With the relay RR12 picked up, it is stuck up through the following stick circuit beginning at the positive terminal of the battery 30, wires 27, 28 and 123, front contact 35 of the relay R2, Wires 34 and 126, back contact 127 of the relay RR1, wires l128 and 58, front stick contact 59 of the relay RR12, wires 60 and 52, throughthe upper winding of the relay RR12, to the negatlve terminal of battery 30. v

After another small arc of rotation of the commutator 22, the commutator segments 135 and 136 will e'ngage the respective pairs of brushes 64 and 65, and thereby affect the application o-f frequencies F3 and F to the selecting and message circuit 15. This application of. frequency F3 to the relay R3 will effect picking up of this relay R3, thereby closing its contact 66 to complete a circuit through the upper Winding of the relay R for the How of rectified current derived from the filter WFL, which circuit includes the contacts 66, 68 and 69 of the relays R3, R2 and R1, respectively. The closure .of the circuit for the upper Winding for the relay Rn at a time when frequency F is applied to the selecting and message circuit 15`16 causes the relay Ru to assume its attracted position, thereb closing the stick circuit forl the lower winding of the relay RR12 heretofore traced, and also closing the following stick circuit for the lower winding of the relay RR2z--beginning at the positive terminal of the bater 30, wires 27 42 and 43, front contact 44 o, the relay R, wires and 137, front stick contact 138 of the relay RR2, wire 139, lower winding of the relay RR2, tothe negative terminal of the battery 30. The picking up of the relay Rn of course also effects closure of its stick circuit including its stick contact 73.

Another small arc of movement of the vcommutator 22 causes the various 'segments 130, 120, 135, 136 and 121 to disenga e their respective stationary brushes, there y effecting deenergization of the relays R1, R2 and R3. The relays R, RR2 and RR12 will however, remain in their energized position, because these relays are stuck up through stick circuits which'are not broken by deenergization of the relays R1, R2 and R3` '65. With the relay R1 moved to its attracted A little further movement of the commuta- 1' n tor 22 causes the commutator segment 140 to engage the two right hand brushes 2, thereby completing a message circuit which, although it has not been made use ofin the particular embodiment of the invention illustrated, may be traced from the brush 2 as follows z-beginning at the brush 2, commutator segment 140, brush 2, wires 141 and 95, stepping and message wire 15, Wires 96 and 97, message relay MR, wire 98, front contact 99 of the relay R, wire 100, back contact 101 of the relay R1, wire 102, back contact 103 of the relay R2., wire 104, back contact 105 of the relay R1, wires 106 and 144, front contact 145 of the relay RR2, Wire 146, back contact 147 of the relay RRS, wire 148, front contact 149 of the relay RR12 to wire 150 (this wire 150 passes throu h a suitable control relay, not shown). he flow of current through this message circuit, which is used in practice, effects energization of the message relay MR, and in turn effects deenergization of the relays R, RR2 and RR12, for reasons heretofore pointed/ out.

Message circuit tliree Another small 'arc of movement of the commutator 22 effects disengagement of segment 140 and its brush 2, and a further small arc of movement causes the commutator segments 155 and 156 to engage their respectiveV stationary brushes 26 and 3. The engagement of segment 156 with brushes 3 connects transformer T to the line wire 15, and tlie enga ement of segment 155 with the brushes 26 e ects the application of frequency- F 1 to the distant Way station apparatus, thereby effecting energization of the relay R1. Energization of the relay R1, by the closure of its front contact 31, causes the repeater relay RR1to be picked up through a circuitv heretofore traced, after which this repeater relay-is stuck up 4through its stick contact 127 through a stick circuit heretofore traced.

A slight further arc of movement of the` commutator 22 causes the -commutator seg- 'ment 157v to engagement to stationary brushes 64, thereby effecting the application of frequency F3 to the selecting and message wire 15, and thereb effecting energization of the relay R3. ince the picking u p of the relay R3 is preceded by the picking up of the relay R1 the repeater relay RR3 cannot be picked up, this beca use `its pick-up circuit is broken at the back contact 46 of the relay R1. Attention is at this time directed to the fact that picking u'p of the relay R3 has opened its contact 50, so that the relay RR12 cannot Y vbepicked up in response to picking up of the relay R2.

After a further short arc of movement of the commutator 22 the contacts 158 and 159 engage their respective stationary brushes 41 and 65, and thereby eifect the application of frequencies F2 and F to the stepping and message circuit 15-16. The frequency F cannot reach the relay Rn until the relay R2 has been picked up and has closed its front contacts 68. The relay R2 will thus fpick up and in turn effect the picking up o the relay Rn. The picking up of the relay R2 cannot pick up the repeater relay RR2, because its pick-up circuit is o ened at the back contact 31 of the relay R1. PWith the relay R picked up its stick circuit will be closed including the. back contact 71 of the relay MR, as well as will be the sticlc circuit for the relay RR1 including its stick contactA 78 and the front contact 44 of the relay R11.

A slight further arc ofmovement of the commutator 22, will remove the frequencies F1, F2, F3 and F, thereby effecting deenergization of the relays R1, R2 and R3, but the relays RR1 and Rn will remain energized. After a further small arc of movement of the commutator 22, the commutator segment 160 will engage the two right hand brushes 3, thereby closing a message circuit which may be traced as follows beginning at the positive terminal of the battery 161, front contact 162 of the track relay TR, Wire 163, back contact 111 of the relay RR12, Wire 110, back contact 109 of the relay RRS, wire 108, front contact 107 of the relay RR1, Wire 106, back contact 105 ofthe relay R3, wire 104, back contact 103 of the relay R2, wire 102, back contact 101 of the relay R1, wire 100, front contact 99 of the relay R, wires 98, windingof the message relay MR, wires 97 and 96, stepping and message Wire 15, wires 95, 141 and 164, brush 3, commutator segment 160, .wire 165, Winding of the indicating relay IR, to the common return Wire 16 connected through the medium of wires 118, 117 and 166 .to th midpoint of the battery 161.

' It is desired to point out atthis time that if the east-bound train in question has aldicating lamp I. The message circuit just traced through which control of indicating relay IR is effected, will of course be opened by the dropping of stick relays RR1 and Rn in response to lifting of the contact 71 of the message relay MR.

After a further arc of movement of the commutator 22 the segment 160 will again remove the shunt off of thebrushes 33, thereapplies current of frequency F2 to the selectby opening the message circuit at the dispatchers oilice.

Message circuit four Continued movement of the commutator 22 will next cause the commutator segments 170 and 171l to engage their respective stationary brushes 41 and 4. The segment 171 connects the transformer T to the selecting and message circuit, and the-segment 170 ing and message circuit 15-16. The applicat-ion of frequency F? to the message 'circuit, and in turn'to the relay R2 at the way station, causes the relay R2 to pick-up, and in turn closes a pick-up circuit for the repeater relay RRZ, which pick-up circuit has already been traced hereinbefore. After the repeater relay RR2 has been picked up it is stuck u through a stick circuit, also traced in the Iforegoing description and including the stick contact 56. Further movement of the commutator 22 causes the commutator segment 172 to engage the stationary brushes 64, thereby applying frequency F3 to the stepping and message circuit and in turn to the relay R3, and this application of freuency F3 to the relay R3 causes this relay 3 to pick up, but produces no further results in that the repeater relay RR3 cannot be picked up, its pick-up circuit being broken at the back contact 67 of the relay R2. After a further short arc of movement of the commutator 22 the segments 173 and 174 will bridge their respective brushes 26 and 65, and will. effect the application of frequencies F1 and F. frequency 'F1 will cause the relay R1 to pick up, thereby closing all of its front contants, ut will not cause the repeater relay RR1 to pick up, because the pick-up circuit for this repeater relay RR1 is broken at the back contact 35 of the relay R2. The picking up of the relay R1 will, however, close the circuit for the upper coil of the relay R", so that this rela Rn can and will pick up 1n response to t e frequency F which frequency has been transmitted to the way statlon. With the relay Rn picked up the stick circuit, heretofore traced, for its own lower winding as well as the stick circuit for the lower winding of the relay RR?, is completed. A slight further arc of rotation of the commutator 22 causes the frequencies F1, F2,'F3 and F to be cut oi of the4 selecting and message circuit, so thatthe relays R1, R2 and R3 return to their retracted position, but the relays Ru and RR2 will remain energized, so that the following message circuit is completed as soon as the commutator segment 175 engages the two right hand brushes.4 in the dispatchers ofce z-beginning at the plus terminal of the battery 20, (see Fig. 1A), Wires 176, 177, 178, 179 and 180, lever contact LS assuming The 4application of its right hand position, wire 181, brush 4, commutator segment 175, brush 4, wires 182 and 183, front contact 184 of relay LSR, wires 84, 94 and 95, stepping and message wire 15, wires 96 and 97, winding of the message relay MR, wire 98, front contact 99 of the relay R, Wire 100, back Contact 101 of the relay R1, wire 102, back contact 103 of the relay R2, wire 104, back contact l105 of the relay R3, wires 106 and 144, front contact 145 of the relay RR2, wire 146, back Contact 147 of the relay RR3, wire 148, back contact 149 of the relay RR, wire 185, the direction relayDR, wires 186, 115, 116, 117 and. 118, common return wire 16, wires 18 and 17, and back to the midpoint of battery 20. The flow of current of positive polarity through the direction relay DR will not change the position of this relay, but with this relay DR in the right hand normal position east-bound signals only can be cleared, and as soon as the signal relay SR assumes its right hand position the east-bound take siding signal SDS will assume its proceed position, providing traffic conditions in advance are cleared and this will indicate to the approaching train that it may enter the side track of the passing siding PS. The flow of current through the last message circuit traced, including the direction relay DR, will of course also flow through the message rela MR. The lifting of contact 71 of relay R will of course o en the stick circuits for the relays R and R2, so. that these stick relays will again assume their retracted position.

Message cz'rcwit #me Further movement of the commutator 22 causes the segment 175 to disengage its stationary brushes 4, and causes the segments 190 and 191 of the commutator 22to engage their respective brushes 64 and 5. The engagement of brushes 5 by segment 191 reconnects the transformer T to this selecting and lmessage circuit 15, and engagement of commutator segment 190 with its brushes 64 effects the application of frequency F3 to the selecting and message circuit 15. The fiow of this frequency F3 to the distant way stations findsits Way to the relay R3 through the medium of the filter WFL3 and the rectifier RT3, thereby effecting energization of the relay R3. With the relay R3 energized the following pick-up ycircuit for the upper winding of the repeater relay RR3 is closed z-beginning at the positive terminal of the battery 30, wires 27, 42 and 43, back contact 44 of the relay R, wire 45, back contact 46 of the relay R1, wire 192, back contact 67 of the relay R3, wire 193, front Contact 194 of the relay R3, wires 195 and 196, upper winding of the relay RR3 to the negative terminal of battery 30. With the relay RR energized lthrough the l relay medium of the circuit just traced, the following stick circuit for the upper winding of this relay RR2 is closedz--beginning at the positive terminal of the battery 30, wires 27 and 197, front contact 198 of the relay R3, wire 199, front stick contact 200 of the relay RR2, wires 201 and 196 to the upper winding of the relay RRS.

A `further small arc of movement of the commutator 22 causes the commutator segment 205 to engage its brushes 26, and effect the application of current of frequency F1 to the selecting and message circuit, which in turneffects pickinor up of-the relay R1. The picking up 'ofa the relay R1, causes the pick-up circuit for the repeater relay RR1, heretofore traced, to be closed, thereby effecting pickin up of the relay RR1 and in turn efl'ectlng` closure of the stick circuit of the u per winding for the relay RR1, which stlck circuit has been traced hereinbefore. This picking u of the relay R1 cannot pick up the relay R12, because the back contact 50 of relay R3 and front contact 48, both of which are open, are included in the pick-up circuit for the A slight further rotation of the commutator 22 causes the commutator segments of the i relay RR2.

206 and 207 to engage their respective stationary brushes 41 and 65, which of course causes currents of frequencies F2 and F to be'transmitted to the distant way station. The How of frequency F2 causes the relay R2 to pick up, thereby closing the circuit through the upper winding of the relay R t0 permit the iow of frequency F to said winding. The picking up of relay R2 will not effect picking up of the relay RR2 b e cause the pick-up circuit of said relay is open at the back contact 31 of the relay R1, and will not effect picking up of the relay RR12 because the pick-up circuit for said relay RR12 is open at the back contact 50 Under the conditions under consideration the relays R2, RR2, R1, RR1, R2 and R are thus energized, and

with the relay R energized the stick circuits for the bottom windings of the relays R, RR1 and RR3 are closed, so that movement of the commutator 22 to a position to disengage the segments 205, 206, 190, 207 and 191 from their respective brushes will effect deenergization of the relays R1, R2 and R2, but will leave the 4relays R, RR1 and RR2 energized, so that the following message circuit is closed as soon as the commutator segment 209 engages the two right hand brushes 5 ofthe `cornmutating equipment. This message circuit may be traced as follows z-beglnning at the positive terminal f the battery 20,

Wires 176, 177, 178,' 210 and 211, contact 212 of the lever-,LS in its right hand position, wire-1213; brush 5, commutator segment 209, brush 5, wires 214 and 183, front contact 184 of relay LSR, wires 84, 94 and 95, selecting and message wire 15, wires 96 and 97, winding of the message relay MR, wire 98, front contact 99 of the relay R,

wire 100, back contact 101 of the relay R1, l

wire 102, back contact 103 vof the relay R2',

wire 104, back contact 105 of the relay R3,y

wire 106, front contact 107 of the relay RR1, wire 108, front contact 109. of the relay RR2, wire 215, winding of the signal relay SR, wires 216, 114, 115, 116, 117 and 118, common return wire 16, wires 18 and 17, back to the midpoint of the battery 20. The flow of current of positive polarity in the message circuit just traced, will of course operate the signal relay SR to its right hand position, thereby causing the take-siding signal SDS to be cleared, assuming tralic A.conditions in advance to be favorable, so

that the east-bound train approaching in the single track section N may move into the side track of the passing siding PS. The movement of this train into the side track, will of course effect deenergization of the track relay TR and will eii'ect operation of the indicating relay IR (see Fig.

1A) to its left hand position during the' next cycle of operation of the commutator 22, and will thereby effect illumination of the associated indicating'lamp I. The flow of current in the message circuit just traced will of course effect momentary energizal tion of the message relay MR, and will therebycause the stick circuits for the relays RR1, RR3 and R to be broken to allow these relays to again move to their retracted position. Also, continued movement of the commutator 22 causes this messze circuit to be broken at the dispatchers o ceat the commutator segment 209.

Message circuit sz' by picking up the repeater relay RR2' A through the pick-upcircuit heretofore traced. Further rotation of the commutator 22 causes the commutator segment 222 to engage its stationary contacts 41, thereby .causing frequency F2 to be transmitted to the distant way station. The flow of this frequency F2 t0 the distant way station causes the relay R2, and in turn the repeater relay RR2 to Aassume their energized position, for reatus. Referring to the drawings, an

' v-tofore given, it will, however, effect the closure -of its front contact 69 and allow the frequency Fn to reach the upper winding of the relay R11. With the relay Rn energized,- its own stick circuitas well as the stick circuits for the relays RR2 and RR3 will bev closed, so that the removal of the frequency R1, F2, Fs and Fl1 by reason of rotatlon of the commutator 22 to a position where the segment 223, 222, 220, 224 and 221 disengage their respective brushes will leave the relays RR2, RR3 and Rn in their -attracted position. A slight further arc of movementof the commutator 22 causes the commutator segment 225 to engage the two right hand brushes 6,'thereby completing a message circuit starting at the Wire 226, which message circuit has not been shown connected to control electro responsive devices z-beginning at the wire 226, brush 6, segment 225, brush 6, wires 230, 164, 141 and 95, selecting and message Wire 15, wires 96 and 97, wlnding of thegmessage relay MR, wire 98, front contact 9950i the relay R, wire 100, back contact 101 of relay R1, wire 102, back contact 103 of relay R2, wire 104, back contact 105 of relay R2, wires 106 and 144, front contact 145 of relay RR2, wire 146, front contact 147 of relay RRS, to suitable control or controlled apparatus.

Sfwmmary Having now described a small portion of a dispatching system embodyingthe present invention, let us consider how this portion may be expanded into a system having many way stations and associated a paraes ecially to the commutator its segments or applying frequenc F11, it will be noted that frequency Fn is a ways applied as the last frequency of the group of frequencies applied in a particular order. Also, referring to Fig. 1B, it will be noted that the freuency Fn cannot reach its relay Rn until all t ree of the-relays R1, R2 and Ra assume their energized position. Also, attention is directed to the fact that the relay R when once picked Dup is stuck up until a message current has passed through the messa e relay MR and has interrupted. the stic circuit of the relay R including the contact 71 o f the message relay MR. In this confnect1on,'1t is desired to point out that in practice the various control relays which are controlled through messagecircuits are somewhat quicker acting than is the message relay MR, so that it is assured that 4these controlrelays will have responded to the message current before the message 'channel has been interrupted by reason of dropping of the relay R11. Also, in practice for every message channel for which a particular code of distinctive impulses is necessary, will not have such distinctive code of impulses transmitted, 4unless that particular message circuit is actually connected up, for otherwise the system would become locked up in that the message relayl MR could not be momentaril ener ized to restoreethe stick relays stuck up t rough the back contact 71 of this relay MR. It a particular message circuit is left over, and can not be made use of, a source of current and a resistance unit may be included therein solely for the purpose of effecting momentary energization of the message relay MR.

The frequency Fn may therefore be called Y a retaining frequency, and is a frequency that is used at each end of every way station. The frequencies F1, F2 and F 3 may be considered as selecting frequencies, the order in which these frequencies being applied determining the articular message circuit branch at a partlcular way station that shall be closed.

Let us now consider how the system may be expanded by using other distinctive frequencies such as F1 and F5 (no apparatus having been shownfor generating these frequencies). additional frequency is used such as a Vfrequency F1, that four way stations each having six message channels may be controlled, assumin that groups of three distinctive selecting requencies are used. For` instance, the first way station, as shown, would employ the frequencies F1, F2 and F3, the second way station (see way station #2, Fig. 1B), for instance, might use the frequencies F1, F2 and F1. The third way station, might, for instance, use the frequencies F1, F3 and F1, whereas the fourth way station could use the remaining combination of frequencies F2, F3 and F1, so that four way stations exactly constructed as the way station shown in Fig. 1B, except that different combinations of filters are used, may be controlled by four distinctivel selecting frequencies. If., on the other hand, five distinctive selecting frequencies are used, ten different combinations, using three frequencies at a time, may be taken advantage of,- so that ten different way stations could be controlled` by the employment of five distinctiveselecting frequencies "to which the yfrequency Fnv would vof course `have to be tinctive frequencies used. v

It is now desired to direct attention to added to determine thetotal number of disthe manner in which the selecting and mes- It readily appears that if one 7- lff restar:p

sage circuit 15-16 is rst used as a selecting circuit and is then used as a message circuit. It will be noted that when the various distinctive frequencies are applied to the selecting circuit 15-16, that a certain commutator segment, such as the commutator segment 24, connects the transformer T to the steppingY and message circuit, and

` that this connection is again interrupted as soon as the selecting function has been completed, while another commutator segment such as the segment 85 connects a particular message circuit branch tothe selector Wire 15, so that first one type of apparatus, namely the selecting apparatus is connected at the dispatchers` office, and that at another time the control and indication apparatus at the. dispatchers office is connected to the selector and message circuit 15-16. Also, at the way station shown nomessage circuit can be connected until all of the selectin relays R1, R2, Rs and Rn have assume their energized position, the relay Rn is stuck up and the relays R1, R2 and R3 have been deener ized by reason of removal of the correspon ing frequencies. Further, the direct current which is used in the message circuit cannot reach the transformer T1 by reason of the inclusion of the con! denser C in series with the primary winding of this transformer T1, so that the way station apparatus has its various control relays and its track relay contacts connected tothe message circuit 15-16 only, after the selecting function has been com leted. In this connection, should a code o 'distinctive frequencies be transmitted, including say the frequencies F1 and F2 but not lncluding the frequency F8, the code in question being intended for a Way-station other than the one shown in Fig. 1B, even thoughthe relay RR1 would in this case be picked up and stuck up roviding this frequency F1 was the first f-Prequency to be transmitted, this relay RR1 could for reasons heretofore given not complete a message circuit and would be again dropped as soon as the fre uency F1 were removed from the selecting clrcuit, and this would happen as soon as the entire code has been transmitted. In other words, the circuit organization is such that the transmission of a partial code only cannot set up a message circuit branch, and such contacts as are closed will again be opened as soon as the entire code has been transmitted or as soon as all frequencies are removed from the selecting'd circuit.

It will be noted that the selecting circuits for setting up message circuits four and five are carried through wire 183 (see Fig. 1A) through the front contact 184 of the l. rela LSR, and that the selecting circuit for esta lishing message circuits one is carried through the front contact 93 yof relay LSMR.

quencies applied in a particular order for a particular message circuit are not transmitted unless the lever contact included in such message circuit is closed, this result being accomplished by the relays LSR and LSMR. There are two distinct advantages afforded by the relays LSR and LSMR, namely, (l) by the provision of thcsf: relays certain distinctive codes are not transmitted when the corresponding levers assume the neutral position, so that the particular distinctive frequency relays at the distant way stations are not operated and thus save ener y and Wear and tear on these relays, and (2 if the distinctive code to complete a particular message circuit were transmitted, and no message were transmitted over the message lcircuitJ completed by such distinctive code, the message relay MR at such particular Waystation would not be energized and the mest sage circuit would remain established, which of course would be undesirable.

Having thus shown and described only a portion of a dispatching system, and having only illustrated one form of such system embodying the present invention, in which rather specific circuit arrangements have been disclosed, it is desired to be understood that the particular embodiment of the invention illustrated has not been selected for the purpose of showing the exact construction preferably employed in practicing the invention, nor has it been selected to show the scope of the invention, but it merely has been selected for the purpose of facilitating the disclosure of the invention; it is deto adapt the invention to the particular railway system to which the invention is to be applied, all without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention or the idea of means underlying the same' except as demanded by the scope of the following claims.

What I claim as new is 1. In a train dispatching system of the selector type, the combination with a single line circuit extending along the railway track and connecting a large number of way stations and a dispatchers oiiice, code responsive means at each way station for rendering available a particular message circuit brach upon the reception of a particular code, and means controlled over such message circuit for again making such branch unavailable. v

.2. In a train dispatching system of the Selector type, the combination with a single line circuit extending along' the railway track and connecting a large number of way stations and a dispatchers office, means responsive to a plurality of distinctive im pulses transmitted `in a distinctive order which when it responds makes available for use a particularfmessage circuit branch, and

a relay controlled over such message circuit branch for again making said branch unavailable for use.

3. In a train dispatching system of the .selector type, the combination with a single which when it responds makes available for.

use a particular message circuit branch, said message branch forming part of a message circuit including said single line circuit, control means and controllable means included in said message circuit, and other means for discontinuing said message circuit available for use and rendering said line circuit available for transmitting another code.

4. Ina train dispatching system of the selector t pe, the combination with a single line circuit extending along the railway track and connecting a large number of way stations and a dispatchers office, means responsive to a plurality of distinctive impulses transmitted in distinctive order which when it responds makes available for use a particular message circuit branch, said message branch forming part of a message circuit including said single line circuit, means controlled over said message circuit to inform the engineer of an approaching train how he is to move his train, and other means for discontinuing said message circuit for use and rendering said line circuit available for transmitting another code.

5. A train dis atching system comprising, a dispatchers olice, a plurality of way stations, a pair of wires connecting said dispatchers olice and said way stations, distinctive code transmitting means at said dispatchers office, code responsive means at each way station each responsive to a particular code transmitted over said air of wires from said dispatchers ofce, an means controlled by said code transmitting means for at times allotting said pair of wires for the transmission of distinctive codes and at another time allotting said` pair of wires for controlling a switch machine at the way station, said switch machine being controlled by the code responsive means located at such way station.

6. A train dispatching system comprising, a dispatchersoflice, a plurality of way stations, a pair of wires connecting said dispatchers office and said way stations, distinctive code transmitting means at said dispatchers office, code responsive means at each way station each responsive to a particular code transmitted over said air of wires from said dispatchers otlice, an means controlled by said code transmitting means for at times allotting said pair of wires for the transmission of distinctive codes and at another time allotting said pair of wires for controlling a signal at the way station controlled by the code responsive means located at such way station. v

7. A train dis atching system comprising, a dispatchers o ce, a plurality of Way stations, a pair of wires connecting said dispatchers oiiice and said Way stations, distinctive code transmitting means at said dispatchers oiiice, `code responsive means at each way station each responsive to a particular code transmitted over said pair of wires from said dispatchers oilice, and means controlled by said code transmitting means for at times allotting said pair of wires for the transmission of distinctive codes and at another time allotting said pair of wires for controlling an indicator at the dispatchers oiiice in accordance with trafiic conditions at the way station, said indication being controlledv through a contact governed by a code responsive means located at such way'station.

8. In a train dispatching system, a dispatchers oiiice, a plurality of way stations, a pair of wires connecting said dispatchers oiiice and said way stations, selector apparatus at said dispatchers oi'lice and at said Way stations for completing successive mesage circuits each including the same line wire by transmitting successive distinctive codes to said way stations, levers for controlling signals over said message circuits, and means for preventing a particular code being transmitted when the lever' for controlling a traiiic controlling device over the message circuit rendered available by such code is in a position to open such message circuit, whereby only those distinctive codes are transmitted which are necessary to establish the message circuits required at that particular time.

9. In a train dispatching system, a dispatchers oliice, a plurality of way stations, a pair of wires connecting said dispatchers ofiice and said Way stations, selector apparatus at said dispatchers office and at said Way stations for completing successive message circuits each including the same line wire by transmitting successive distinctive codes to said way stations, levers for controlling switch machines over said message circuits, and means for preventing a articular code from being transmitted w en the lever for controlling a traiiic controlling device over the message circuit rendered available by such code is in its circuit open position, whereby only those distinctive codes are transmitted which are necessary to establish the message circuits required at that particular time.

10. In a train dispatching system of the selector type, the combination with a single line circuit extending along the railway track and connecting a large number of way stations and a dispatchers oiiice, code responsive means at each way station for rendering available a particular message circuit branch upon the reception of a particular code, a railway signal controlled over said message circuit, and means controlled over such message circuit for again making such branch unavailable.

11. A train dispatching system comprising, a dispatchers office, a plurality of way stations, a pair of Wires connecting said dispatchers oce and said way stations, distinctive code transmitting means at said dispatchers office, code responsive means at each way station each responsive to a particular code transmitted over said air of wires from said dispatchers oflice, an means controlled by codes originating in said dispatchers oce for at times controlling a traffic controlling device located at a particular Way station and at other times controlling an indicator in said ofiice in accordance with traiic conditions at another way station over said pair of line Wires.

ln testimony whereof I ax' my signature.

FREDERICK W. BRIXN ER.

DISCLAIMER 1`,824,117.-Frederick W.y Brixner, Rochester, N. Y. TRAIN-DISPATCHING SYSTEM Fon RAiLRoADs. Patent dated September y22, 1931. Disclaimer iiled February 16, 1934, by the assignee, General Railway Signal Company.

Hereby enters this disclaimer to claims 5,A 6, 7, and 11 of said Letters Patent,

f which are in the following words, to Wit:

5. A train dispatching 'system' comprising, a dispatchers olice, a plurality of way stations, a pair of wires connecting said dispatchers office and said way stations, distinctive code transmitting means at said dispatchers office, code responsive means at-each way station each responsive to a particular code transmitted over said pair of wires from said dispatchers oflice, and means controlled by said code transmitting means for at times allotting said pair of wires for the transmission of distinctive codes and at another time allotting said pair of Wires for controlling a switch machine at the way station, said switch machine being controlled by the code responsive means located at such Way station.

6. A train dispatching system comprising, a dispatchers office, a plurality of way stations, a pair of Wires connecting said dispatchers oflice and said way stations, distinctive code transmitting means at said dispatchers oi'iice, code responsive means at each Way station each responsive to a particular code transmitted over said p air of Wires from said dispatchers oflice, and means controlled by said code transmitting means for at times allotting said pair of wires for the transmission of distinct1ve codes and at another time allotting said pair of wires for controlling a signal .at the way station controlled by the code responsive means located at such way station.

7. A train dispatching system comprising, a dispatchers oiiice, a plurality of Way stations, a pair of wires connecting said dispatchers oflice and said Way stations, distinctive code transmitting means at said dispatchers oiiice, c ode responsive means at each way station each responsive to a particular code transmitted over said pair of wires from said dispatcliers office, and means controlled by said code transmitting means for at times allotting said pair of lwires for the transmission of distinctive codes and at another time allotting said pair of wires for controlling an indicator. at the dispatchers oiiice in accordance with traic conditions at the way station, said indication being controlled through a contact governed by a code responsive means located at such way station. U

11. A train dispatching system comprising, a dispatchers office, a plurality of way stations, a pair of Wires connecting said dispatchers office and said way stations, distinctive code transmitting means at said dispatchers oflice, code responsive means at each Way station each responsive to a particular code transmitted oversaid pair of wires from said dispatchers oiiice, and means controlled by codes originating in said dispatchers office for at times controlling a traffic controlling device located at a particular way station and at othertimes controlling an indicator in said office in accordance with traflic conditions at another way station over said pair of line Wires.

[Oficial Gazette Marchl 13, 1934.]

DISCLAIMER 1,824,117.-'-Fredericlc W. Brixner, Rochester, N. Y. TRAIN DIsPATcHiNG SYSTEM FOR RAiLRoADs. Patent dated September 22, 1931. Disclaimer tiled July 28, 1934, by the assignee, General Railway Signal Company.

Hereby disclaims from claim 2 any system of train dispatching in which the means responsive to a plurality of distinctive impulses transmitted in a distinctive order is responsive to a varying number of short impulses anda long impulse always transmitted in the same order of the short impulses before the long impulse.

[Official Gazette August 21, 1934.] 

